olger Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 There is a popular philosophy in western culture that has had some influence on dating & relationships. The idea that everyone has a SOUL-MATE ! Heard of it? Probably... Some Soul-mate quotes: “A soulmate is somebody with whom one has a feeling of deep and natural affinity, love, intimacy, sexuality, spirituality, and/or compatibility. A related concept is that of the twin flame or twin soul – which is thought to be the ultimate soulmate, the one and only other half of one's soul, for which all souls are driven to find and join.” "The belief is that you will find in a mate the one unique person on the planet who understands your deepest desires and fears, accepts all of who you are unconditionally and who becomes joined to you, making one complete whole in mind, body and soul. The power of this type of relationship is so great that you will know fully and rapidly when you find "the one." Further, if you have not married "the one," you should move on." Where did THIS idea come from? The Bible? Psychology? Indigestion? It comes from Pagan mythology. Aristophanes writes in Plato's Symposium that humans originally consisted of four arms, four legs, and a single head made of two faces, but Zeus feared their power and split them all in half, condemning them to spend their lives searching for the other half to complete them: My Response - Wrapped up in the "soul mate" philosophy is the belief that the point of marriage is essentially selfish: I'm out there looking for the person who is going to make me feel 'complete' and 'happy' and all those other warm fuzzy feelings. And if those feelings wear off someday (as they are bound to do), then it means I didn't marry my soul mate. As a biblical counselor, I fault this philosophy as a large-scale contributor to the divorce epidemic. I tend to think it's one of the most dangerous relationship philosophies circling these days. If you will apply the principles of the Bible to your life, there are probably 100 people you could be be happy with. But I will say this. Once a person is married, then you have a soul-mate. For better for worse, for keeps. For life. Gerry Quote "Please don't feed the drama queens.."
Woody Posted March 21, 2012 Posted March 21, 2012 Soul Mates are made not found. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Administrators Naomi Posted March 21, 2012 Administrators Posted March 21, 2012 Quote: If you will apply the principles of the Bible to your life, there are probably 100 people you could be be happy with. but, finding that 1 in 100 can be a difficult process Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
Administrators Gail Posted March 21, 2012 Administrators Posted March 21, 2012 Yes, happiness is not all about the ME. Life has a way of teaching you that. Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Administrators Naomi Posted March 21, 2012 Administrators Posted March 21, 2012 Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
M. T. Cross Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 We are all soul mates. Finding someone to spend your life with is a whole other ball game. Quote
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 God Bless your soul EC. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
CoAspen Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Paganism seem to be a favorite 'talk show' for many on this forum. I wonder what they are afraid of? Is their God not strong enough? We have been down this road so many times it is hard to find a practice or way of life or some type of belief that can not be contributed to 'pagans'...maybe they are the new 'Jesuit' bad guys!! Quote
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Yes CoA. It seems that if you disagree with something - it becomes a Jesuit and Pagan thingy. Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
M. T. Cross Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 And yet so many of the people that point out the paganism seem to have so little understanding of anything about paganism other than the surface stuff. Some of the misconceptions and misinformation makes me chuckle and makes me sad at the same time. Quote
Woody Posted March 22, 2012 Posted March 22, 2012 Quote: And yet so many of the people that point out the paganism seem to have so little understanding of anything about paganism other than the surface stuff. Some of the misconceptions and misinformation makes me chuckle and makes me sad at the same time. Agreed - Quote May we be one so that the world may be won. Christian from the cradle to the grave I believe in Hematology.
Neil D Posted March 24, 2012 Posted March 24, 2012 There is a popular philosophy in western culture that has had some influence on dating & relationships. The idea that everyone has a SOUL-MATE ! Heard of it? Probably...[snip] Wrapped up in the "soul mate" philosophy is the belief that the point of marriage is essentially selfish: I'm out there looking for the person who is going to make me feel 'complete' and 'happy' and all those other warm fuzzy feelings. And if those feelings wear off someday (as they are bound to do), then it means I didn't marry my soul mate. As a biblical counselor, I fault this philosophy as a large-scale contributor to the divorce epidemic. I tend to think it's one of the most dangerous relationship philosophies circling these days. If you will apply the principles of the Bible to your life, there are probably 100 people you could be be happy with. But I will say this. Once a person is married, then you have a soul-mate. For better for worse, for keeps. For life. Gerry For the sake of discussion, Gerry...Let me point out a few counter points.... Let's say that a person is a Christian [for simplicity, let's call him "Steve"]. Steve believes that since God made Adam's Eve, God is also out to make Steve's one and only soul mate. Steve also has evidence that God is working in Steve's life and has let Steve to marriage to this one person, which is looking more and more like God wants Steve and Eve to join together.... Fast forward 10 or 15 years, and life has settled but troubles have been brooding. Steve has made some mistakes, granted, has even owned up to other accusations in order to save the marriage. Steve's eyes have NOT wandered away from his bride, but there are times when alone he might confess his dishearted choice....Eventually, Eve decides to end the marriage...Of course, Steve is heart broken. His ideal of a soul mate has been shattered. And now, you come along and say "God doesn't do "soul mates"!" What do you say to Steve whose very discipleship rested upon the concept that God was leading in his life.... Quote Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve. George Bernard Shaw
Administrators Tom Wetmore Posted March 24, 2012 Administrators Posted March 24, 2012 I'm thinking that it is more likely that someone who has not found their soul mate or been able to become soul mates with their significant other are most likely to doubt it as real and to suspect it as some sort of diabolical plot to make them feel inadequate or unfulfilled. Quote "Absurdity reigns and confusion makes it look good." "Sinless perfection is such a shallow goal." "I love God only as much as the person I love the least." *Forgiveness is always good news. And that is the gospel truth. (And finally, the ideas expressed above are solely my person views and not that of any organization with which I am associated.)
Administrators Naomi Posted March 24, 2012 Administrators Posted March 24, 2012 I'm thinking that it is more likely that someone who has not found their soul mate or been able to become soul mates with their significant other are most likely to doubt it as real and to suspect it as some sort of diabolical plot to make them feel inadequate or unfulfilled. That makes me smile ... Quote If your dreams are not big enough to scare you, they are not big enough for God
BobRyan Posted March 24, 2012 Posted March 24, 2012 "significant other"??? Quote John 8:32 - The Truth will make you free“The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin." COL 316.
Administrators Gail Posted March 24, 2012 Administrators Posted March 24, 2012 I'm thinking that it is more likely that someone who has not found their soul mate or been able to become soul mates with their significant other are most likely to doubt it as real and to suspect it as some sort of diabolical plot to make them feel inadequate or unfulfilled. I spent a couple good minutes pondering this... and thought- hey! I know someone who is going through this very thing! He is unhappy with his mate, big story, and after hearing his version I'm wondering if it should be the other way round! Quote Isaiah 32:17 And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever.
Dr. Rich Posted March 25, 2012 Posted March 25, 2012 Thanks Jerry for posting this thread. Soul mates are like buses, if you miss one, another will come around in a little while. (wink) Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.